Sacramento California Temple Wiki
Quick Facts
ANNOUNCED
21 April 2001
ANNOUNCED BY
First Presidency
GROUNDBREAKING
22 August 2004
GROUNDBREAKING PRESIDED BY
President Gordon B. Hinckley
DEDICATED
3 September 2006
DEDICATED BY
President Gordon B. Hinckley
DEDICATION ORDER
123
LOCATION
2110 California Cir
Rancho Cordova, California 95742-6415
United States
PHONE
(+1) 916-357-5870
Description
History
Announcement
On 21 April 2001, the church’s First Presidency announced that temples in California would be built in the Sacramento, Redlands, and Newport Beach.
ANNOUNCED ORDER
121
| Date | 2001 04 21 |
| By | First Presidency |
| Role | – |
| Via | Local Letter |
⮜Preceded by Columbia River Washington
Followed by Redlands California⮞
Announced 2001 04 20
Location Announcement
The location of the temple was announced Friday, December 21, 2001, as property adjacent to the Mormon Center (a meetinghouse in the Fair Oaks California Stake) at 2100 California Circle in Rancho Cordova.[1]”Sacramento temple site announced,” Church News 5 Jan. 2002, 29 Oct. 2002 <http://www.desnews.com/cgi-bin/libstory_church?dn02&0201070024>. The site is located near Folsom, 20 miles east of downtown Sacramento on Highway 50. The large parcel of land was once owned by Aerojet General Corp. for use as a recreational center. During a large downsize of the company in the 1970s, the Church was able to acquire the property where a chapel was built onto the existing gym and other areas converted to classrooms. It has provided for numerous church activities including sand volleyball, picnics, camping, and ward group activities. The beautiful piece of property is on a hill overlooking the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The majestic oak trees surrounding the site create a serene natural setting.[2]Jeanie Bennett, “Sacramento California Temple site,” Email to Rick Satterfield, 1 Oct. 2001. The proposed temple is 58,000 square-feet, larger than most recently completed temples. Additional building details will be released as plans are prepared for submission to the city. The temple is expected to serve 73,400 members in northern California.
Plans for the temple were modified in Fall 2002 to follow the same design used by the Newport Beach California Temple. The change in size reduced the estimated maintenance costs to approximately 1/10 the original costs. The 17,500 square-foot plan features two endowment rooms, each seating 48 patrons, and unique landscaping to reflect its surroundings.[3]Wood, President Kent V., “Sacramento CA temple,” Email to Rick Satterfield via Paul Funk, 22 Oct. 2002.
Render Released
The official render for the temple was announced sometime in the fall of 2002.
On August 14, 2003, the 11-member Rancho Cordova Community Planning Advisory Council voted unanimously to recommend the county’s approval of the proposed temple. Before casting his vote, council member, Frank McCarthy, expressed his support for the Church, which is willing to clean up “the ugliest stretch of Highway 50.” Opponents, on the other hand, feared the adverse effects of illuminating the building at nights (5 a.m. to dawn and dusk until 11 p.m.), specifically the 131-foot spire, which the Church agreed to lower 20 feet from its originally proposed 151-foot spire. Members of the Lake Natoma Community Task Force say the spire will negatively impact views; others claim that the lighting would attract birds, causing them to fly endlessly around the spire until possibly colliding with the building. Proponents note that the nearby lighted Folsom Automall and the car lights along Highway 50 far outdo the proposed lighting of the temple. Principal engineer, Brian Everett, explained that a precedent on area lighting was set when the automall was constructed. “The temple’s light will not flash, blink nor glare,” he said, explaining the controls that would restrict excess light. Church members pointed out the community benefits of temples, which attract visitors and increase revenues for local businesses.[4]Lakiesha McGhee, “Planners absolve Mormon temple,” The Sacramento Bee 24 Aug. 2003, 26 Aug. 2003 <http://www.sacbee.com/content/community_news/folsom_cordova/story/7287296p-8231890c.html>.
Sacramento County adopted a Negative Declaration for the Use Permit, which dimissed the requirement to prepare an Environmental Impact Report. The declaration was open for public comment during a review period that began October 24, 2003, and ended November 13, 2003. The Use Permit is a request to allow operation of the existing meetinghouse and to add the 17,500-square-foot temple, distribution center, and two caretaker residences.[5]County of Sacramento, Department of Environmental Review and Assessment, “Notice of Intent to Adopt a Negative Declaration,” DERA 24 Oct. 2003, 3 Feb. 2004 <http://www.dera.saccounty.net/Docs/PublicNotices/active%20notices/030341NOI.pdf>.
On March 22, 2004, the County of Sacramento Project Planning Commission approved the Use Permit for the temple in a unanimous 3-0 vote.[6]County of Sacramento, Project Planning Commission, “Action Summary,” Meeting Agendas: County of Sacramento, California, U.S.A 22 Mar. 2004, 25 Mar. 2004 <http://www.webagendas.saccounty.net/projectcomm/2004/Action%20Summary/projaction03-22-04.htm>. The three Commissioners (two of the five being absent) heard extensive testimony from both proponents and opponents of the project. Arguments centered on the Commissioners’ concerns over the steeple’s height, mass, and lighting. County staff noted that within the county zoning ordinances, no height limit is imposed on church steeples. Satisfied that opponents did not demonstrate a basis for imposing such a limit, no change to the temple was requested. The Commissioners were similarly pleased by a photograph of the soft, nighttime lighting used by the Redlands California Temple. To ensure that the illumination would not be switched for harsher lighting in the future, however, the Commissioners asked whether the Church would agree to a maximum-illumination clause (4 foot-candles max. on the building and 9 on the steeple) as condition for approval of the Use Permit. The Church agreed. [7]Evan Eickmeyer, “Sacramento Temple news,” Email to Rick Satterfield, 23 Mar. 2003.
Groundbreaking
President Gordon B. Hinckley presided at the Sacramento California Temple groundbreaking ceremony held on Sunday, 22 August 2004. He was joined by local LDS politicians including Congressman John Doolittle and Mayor “Rocky” Rockholm. The ceremony was broadcast via closed-circuit television to numerous meetinghouses throughout northern California. The new temple, California’s seventh, will serve the growing membership there of approximately 80,000.
Other prominent church members from the area also attended the groundbreaking and site dedication, including Congressman John Doolittle.
GROUNDBREAKING ORDER
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| Date | 2004 08 22 |
| By | Gordon B. Hinckley |
| Role | President |
| Attendees | ## |
⮜Preceded by Newport Beach California
Followed by Curitiba Brazil⮞
Open House
After construction was completed, a public open house was held from July 29 to August 26, 2006, [8]https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/sacramento-california-temple-opens-doors-to-public.
| Start Date | 2006 07 29 |
| End Date | 2006 08 26 |
| Days | 25 |
| Attendees | # |
| Per day | A/D |
Cultural Celebration
The night before the dedication, a cultural celebration was performed at ARCO Arena.
Dedication
Church President Gordon B. Hinckley presided over the dedication ceremony Sept. 3, 2006. “We pray for this great state of California,” the Prophet said during the dedicatory prayer. “This temple, in the environs of the capital city, joins its six sister institutions in providing for the needs of Thy faithful Saints in this part of the nation.”
Attending the dedication with President Hinckley were President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency; Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Presidency of the Seventy; and Elder Richard G. Hinckley of the Seventy.
The dedication was done in four sessions and carried by feed to meetinghouses to allow all those who would like to attend the opportunity to participate.[9]de la Fuente, Edward. “Hinckley dedicates new temple”, The Salt Lake Tribune, 4 September 2006. Retrieved on 26 March 2020, https://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=/faith/ci_4284744.
DEDICATION ORDER
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| Date | YYYY MM DD |
| By | person |
| Role | role |
| Sessions | # |
| Attendees | # |
⮜Preceded by Newport Beach California
Followed by Helsinki Finland⮞
Construction Duration
| Span | Duration |
|---|---|
| Announced to Groundbreaking | 3 y, 4 m, 1 d |
| Groundbreaking to Dedication | 2 y, 0 m, 12 d |
| Announced to Dedication | 5 y, 4 m, 12 d |
Dedicatory Order
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REGION
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COUNTRY
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STATE
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COUNTY
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CITY
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Summary
This temple is the seventh Latter-day Saint temple in California and the third built in Northern California.
Detail
Groundbreaking Announced
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Announced
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Dedication Announced
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Under Construction
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Rededication Announced
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Under Renovation
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Renovation Scheduled
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Presidents and Matrons
| Temple President | Temple Matron | Years Served |
|---|---|---|
| Ned Philip Telford | Karen Dee Ann Rice Telford | 2024–2024 |
| Walter Robert (Terry) Baggs | Mary Margaret Kingen Baggs | 2021–2024 |
| David C Olsen | Gail Packard Olsen | 2018–2021 |
| Weldon Bartlett Papa | Marie Fairbanks Papa | 2015–2018 |
| Norman Curtis Boehm | Evelyn Jensen Boehm | 2012–2015 |
| William Watts Parmley | Shanna Lee Nielsen Parmley | 2009–2012 |
| Richard H. Winkel | Karen Hart Winkel | 2006–2009 |
Details
Location
The site for the temple, located in Rancho Cordova, covers 46 acres (190,000 m2) and includes views of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The temple grounds were designed to fit in with the surrounding landscape.
Site
Exterior
The structure stands 131 feet tall, and is constructed with temple white granite from Fuzhou, China.[10]“Sacramento California Temple”. Church News. March 12, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2025, https://www.thechurchnews.com/2010/3/12/23211942/sacramento-california-temple/. The exterior has arched colonnades on each side of the main entry.[11]“Sacramento California Temple Opens Doors to Public”, Church News, 26 July 2006. Retrieved on 26 March 2020, https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/sacramento-california-temple-opens-doors-to-public.
Cladding
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Water Course
Windows
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Spandrel panel
Exterior Finish
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Architectural Features
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| Height | # | # |
| To Shoulder | # | # |
| Width | # | # |
| Length | # | # |
| Footprint | # | # |
Symbolism
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Cornerstone
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Spires and Finial
Spires
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Spire Details
| Spires | # |
| Location | # |
| Finish | # |
| Type | dome, steeple, tower, spire |
| shape | # |
| Tower shape |
Finial
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| Sculptor: | Karl Quilter |
| Commissioned: | 1978 |
| Completed: | 1985 |
| Material: | Fiberglass |
| Height: | 10 ft (3.2 m) |
| Weight: | ~400 lbs (136.1 kg) |
| Currently On: | 51 temples |
| Finish: | |
| Placed: | |
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Interior
Its design is slightly larger than most of the church’s temples constructed at the same time. The temple has a total of 19,500 square feet (1,810 m2), two ordinance rooms and four sealing rooms.[12]de la Fuente, Edward. “Hinckley dedicates new temple”, The Salt Lake Tribune, 4 September 2006. Retrieved on 26 March 2020, https://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=/faith/ci_4284744.
The interior has “numerous art-glass windows, sculpted carpet and an original mural depicting the Sierra Nevada mountains and foothills.”[13]”Sacramento California Temple Opens Doors to Public“, Church News, 26 July 2006. Retrieved on 26 March 2020. The temple has a baptistry, two ordinance rooms, and four sealing rooms,[14]“Sacramento California Temple”. Church News. Retrieved January 19, 2025, https://www.thechurchnews.com/almanac/temples/sacramento-california/. each designed for ceremonial use.
The temple design is slightly larger than most of the Latter-day Saint temples that were under construction at the same time. The temple has a total of 19,500 square feet, two ordinance rooms, and four sealing rooms.
Entry
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| Area | 32,240 f2 (2,995.19 m2) |
| Floors above grade | |
| Floors below Grade | |
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| Endowment Rooms | |
| Sealing Rooms |
Baptistry
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Initiatory Spaces
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| Style | detached, attached, combined |
| Type | stationary, progressive |
| Rooms | # |
Instruction Rooms
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| Rooms | # |
| Type | # |
| Capacity | # |
| Murals | y/n |
| Total Muraled Rooms | # |
| Mural Type |
Celestial Room
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Sealing Room
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| Sealing Rooms | |
| Largest Capacity |
Assembly Hall
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Contractors
Architect
The temple was designed by Brian Everett and Maury Maher of Nichols, Melburg & Rossetto.[15]”Sacramento California Temple”. Church News. March 12, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2025.https://www.thechurchnews.com/2010/3/12/23211942/sacramento-california-temple/.
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Projects by Architect
Project Manager
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General Contractor
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Other Contractor
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Region
TEMPLES IN CALIFORNIA by county
| Alameda | 1 | Oakland |
| Fresno | 1 | Fresno |
| Kern | 1 | Bakersfield |
| Los Angeles | 1 | Los Angeles |
| Orange | 2 | Newport Beach · Yorba Linda |
| Sacramento | 1 | Sacramento |
| San Bernardino | 1 | Redlands |
| San Diego | 1 | San Diego |
| Santa Clara | 1 | San Jose |
| Stanislaus | 1 | Modesto |
| Sutter | 1 | Yorba Linda |
TEMPLES IN UNITED STATES by state
Total: 158
TEMPLES IN NORTH AMERICA by country
Total: 209
Sources and Citations
References
| ↑1 | ”Sacramento temple site announced,” Church News 5 Jan. 2002, 29 Oct. 2002 <http://www.desnews.com/cgi-bin/libstory_church?dn02&0201070024>. |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | Jeanie Bennett, “Sacramento California Temple site,” Email to Rick Satterfield, 1 Oct. 2001. |
| ↑3 | Wood, President Kent V., “Sacramento CA temple,” Email to Rick Satterfield via Paul Funk, 22 Oct. 2002. |
| ↑4 | Lakiesha McGhee, “Planners absolve Mormon temple,” The Sacramento Bee 24 Aug. 2003, 26 Aug. 2003 <http://www.sacbee.com/content/community_news/folsom_cordova/story/7287296p-8231890c.html>. |
| ↑5 | County of Sacramento, Department of Environmental Review and Assessment, “Notice of Intent to Adopt a Negative Declaration,” DERA 24 Oct. 2003, 3 Feb. 2004 <http://www.dera.saccounty.net/Docs/PublicNotices/active%20notices/030341NOI.pdf>. |
| ↑6 | County of Sacramento, Project Planning Commission, “Action Summary,” Meeting Agendas: County of Sacramento, California, U.S.A 22 Mar. 2004, 25 Mar. 2004 <http://www.webagendas.saccounty.net/projectcomm/2004/Action%20Summary/projaction03-22-04.htm>. |
| ↑7 | Evan Eickmeyer, “Sacramento Temple news,” Email to Rick Satterfield, 23 Mar. 2003. |
| ↑8 | https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/sacramento-california-temple-opens-doors-to-public. |
| ↑9 | de la Fuente, Edward. “Hinckley dedicates new temple”, The Salt Lake Tribune, 4 September 2006. Retrieved on 26 March 2020, https://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=/faith/ci_4284744. |
| ↑10 | “Sacramento California Temple”. Church News. March 12, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2025, https://www.thechurchnews.com/2010/3/12/23211942/sacramento-california-temple/. |
| ↑11 | “Sacramento California Temple Opens Doors to Public”, Church News, 26 July 2006. Retrieved on 26 March 2020, https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/sacramento-california-temple-opens-doors-to-public. |
| ↑12 | de la Fuente, Edward. “Hinckley dedicates new temple”, The Salt Lake Tribune, 4 September 2006. Retrieved on 26 March 2020, https://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=/faith/ci_4284744. |
| ↑13 | ”Sacramento California Temple Opens Doors to Public“, Church News, 26 July 2006. Retrieved on 26 March 2020. |
| ↑14 | “Sacramento California Temple”. Church News. Retrieved January 19, 2025, https://www.thechurchnews.com/almanac/temples/sacramento-california/. |
| ↑15 | ”Sacramento California Temple”. Church News. March 12, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2025.https://www.thechurchnews.com/2010/3/12/23211942/sacramento-california-temple/. |
Last updated on: 17 December 2025